Newcastle ban on street-drinking after drunken disorder
Revellers in an up-market area of Newcastle are to be banned from drinking in the streets after a flood of complaints about drunken disorder.
The ban is the latest move in the row between residents and licensees in Jesmond.
The area, which is adjacent to the city centre, is regarded as the most prosperous in Newcastle and used to have just a handful of pubs.
But now licensees in Osborne Road have been accused of exploiting their licences to attract crowds of weekend drinkers away from the city centre.
Northumbria Police say they recorded 160 drink-related incidents in the area last year.
After receiving 130 letters from residents, Newcastle Council has brought in a street drinking ban, which is aimed at revellers who drift from bar to bar.
Many councils around the country are introducing similar measures, but in most towns the ban is aimed at homeless alcoholics and young people who drink on the streets instead of in pubs.
Supt John Graham said: "There has been concern, particularly from residents, about the increase in licensed premises on Osborne Road.
"This area is very popular and has a good reputation which we don't want to spoil. We hope the customers will take this new legislation on board and that we will rarely have to intervene."
The latest ban follows reassurances from local authorities last month that the legislation allowing street drinking bans would not be used to restrict drinking in pubs or bars but was aimed at curbing drunkenness and disorder.
Related stories:
Fears over street drinking bans quashed (14 February 2002)
